The National Youth Council in collaboration with the African Human Rights Commission Sunday celebrated the Africa Human Rights Day, held at Paradise Suit Hotel., Kololi.
The commemoration took a form of a March pass from Palmarima to Paradise Hotel, which brought together officials from NYC, African Youth Commission’s chairperson and dignitaries.
Speaking to The Voice at Paradise Suit Hotel Alhagie Jarju, programme manager for NYC said the celebration aimed at collaborating with African Commission for Human Rights to involve the Gambians young people in fighting corruption and human rights violation.
“Because youth as future leaders are relevant component in combating corruption, it would enable the youth to know the elements of corruption in the country and help them [youth] fight corruption as well as human rights violation,” he said.
He said monetary aspect is not the only meant of triggering corruption, but said youth should understand what corruption means.
Marr Nyang, executive director of Gambia Participate who is running the follow the money project, said the commemoration is significant in reminding the young people on human rights violation and how corruption is violating the rights of the citizenry.
He said the public has the fundamental human rights to receive social; and economics benefits.
He said: “The youth need to be proactive and investigate because fighting corruption is not about pointing fingers but to make finding to get the right information and indentify where the problem is.”
“I we don’t investigate then we are allowing the perpetrators to enrich themselves while the sick are dying,” he added.
Natalie Sonia Mukundane, acting executive chairperson of the African Youth Commission said corruption is the biggest hindrance that affects youth contribution in decision making process, adding African youth need to know that the continent should be ‘no go area’ for corruption in the future so that the continent will not have corrupt leaders.
She called on the youth to unite and work hard to ensure the continent is free from corruption saying this can be attain through appropriate advocacy by the entire Africans youth.
Author: Sulayman Waan
